Free Agency 2021 Preview: Tight Ends
January 22, 2021
by Steve Thomas
Welcome to the 2021 offseason, sort of, at least for Washington. Between now and the start of free agency on March 17, we will preview some of the available free agents for each of the position groups. First up this week is tight ends.
Washington’s tight end group consists of 2020 signee Logan Thomas, plus a number of other second year players, none of whom having significant game experience. I don’t think it’s likely that Washington spends big money on a tight end since Thomas became such an integral part of the team’s passing game last season. However, Ron Rivera and company may try to bring in a better #2 player who is a quality blocker, particularly if they don’t have faith in Thaddeus Moss’ ability to develop in that manner.
For this exercise, I eliminated everyone who is age 35 or over and everyone who isn’t an unrestricted free agent. I’m not in favor of burning draft picks to get a restricted free agent, at least not for a tight end this season, and proposed trades are beyond the scope of this exercise. 2021 is an extremely sparce year for tight ends, so the fact that Washington secured Thomas’ services last year is of immense value to the team. The list of the top available free agents is below.
Hunter Henry (6’5” / 250, 26 years old): Henry was a second round draft pick out of Arkansas by the Chargers in 2016. After his rookie contract expired in 2019, he re-signed with the Chargers last offseason on a one year, $10.6M contract. Henry was considered one of the top tight end free agents last year, and considering the weakness of this year’s class, he’s the undisputed #1 free agent at his position again this offseason. Last year, he had 60 receptions on 93 targets for 613 yards, 10.2 yards per receptions, and 4 touchdowns. Henry’s skillset probably overlaps with that of Logan Thomas, so it seems unlikely that Washington would spend in the neighborhood of $10M for a second tight end, even though they desperately need more offensive weapons.
Jared Cook (6’5” / 247, 33 years old): Cook, who was the third round pick out of South Carolina by the Tennessee Titans in 2009, was with the Titans through 2012, then moved to the Rams from 2013 – 2015, then the Green Bay Packers in 2016, followed by the Raiders from 2017 to 2018, and most recently the Saints for the past two seasons. In 2020, he had 37 receptions in 60 targets for 504 yards, 13.6 yards per reception, and 7 touchdowns. Cook’s age isn’t ideal, but he could still be useful to a team as a middle-of-the-road contributor. Also, at least in his earlier years, Cook had a reputation as a quality blocker, which is an obvious need for Washington.
Jonnu Smith (6’3” / 248, 25 years old): Smith was a 2017 third round pick by the Tennessee Titans out of Florida International. He just finished his rookie deal, playing in 60 games in four years, starting 53, with 114 receptions in 169 targets for 1,302 yards, 11.4 yards per reception, and 16 touchdowns. In 2020, Smith played 15 games and had 41 receptions in 65 targets for 448 yards, 10.9 yards per reception, and 8 touchdowns. Smith ended up as an in-line blocker for a good amount of time this past season due to left tackle Taylor Lewan’s knee injury, which speaks to his value at that skill. Smith is considered an up and coming talent, so there may be competition for his services, but he would be a decent signing for Washington if the price is right.
Gerald Everett (6’3” / 240, 26 years old): Everett was a 2017 second round picks by the Los Angeles Rams out of South Alabama. He just finished his rookie contract, playing 61 games, with 11 starts, 127 receptions with 1389 yards, 10.9 yards per reception, and 8 touchdowns. This past season, Everett had 41 receptions in 62 targets, 417 yards, 10.2 yards per reception, and 1 touchdown. He doesn’t have a reputation as a good blocker, so if true, he probably wouldn’t be right for Washington, although he could probably be signed for a reasonable contract.
Rob Gronkowski (6’6” / 268, 31 years old): Gronk, the second round pick of the 2010 Patriots who has 4 First Team All Pro selections to his name, is Tom Brady’s running buddy, and the odds are extremely small that he will want to play with any other quarterback, least of all for a Washington team that is currently without a clear starter. Gronk is great, but this one isn’t worth discussing. For those wondering, he did have another decent season, starting all 16 games and making 45 receptions in 77 targets for 623 yards, 13.8 yards per reception, and 7 touchdowns.
Jordan Reed (6’2” / 240, 31 years old): No. Shockingly, Reed suffered injuries this season while a 49er and was only able to play 10 games, making 26 receptions in 46 targets for 231 yards, 8.9 yards per reception, and 4 touchdowns. I wish Reed the best, but . . . no.
Those are the bigger name players available at the tight end position who meet my criteria (unrestricted free agent younger than 35), but I think the odds are best that Washington signs a young, fairly unknown talent to be a blocker and backup to Thomas rather than spending significant money on any of these players. This is particularly true given the weakness of this year’s tight end group. Of this list, my vote would be to try to sign Jonnu Smith, although he doesn’t strike me as a very likely course of action for Washington.